YASNY

I'd be happy with those numbers from PK.

Out of all our pitchers that could be technically classified as rookies if they made the club this year, I think Cotts has the best shot of being a quality major league pitcher, sooner, than the rest. I'm leaving Shingo out of this equation.

Developing an alltime team for each league could be fun as well. The ultimate All-Star teams.

Last year, the opening day starter was a very HOT topic on this board. Colon or Buehrle. Hopefully, we won't have that situation this year.

That is why JM got the ax. We had the best team, but didn't win the division.

You might as well accept this for reality: Some people did not like the hiring of Ozzie Guillen and the will take every opportunity to take their shots at him. I, personally, was not thrilled with it. But, I'll certainly give him the benefit of the doubt. He may turn out to be a HOF quality manager. We don't know, yet.

It's discussions like this that makes baseball the greatest game on earth.

There's nothing wrong with having another live arm in camp, especially when it's attached to someone with a good attitude.

This is an example of why, when you have a shot at a pennant, you go for it as KW did last year. All 3 of the big pickups he made, walked, but he knew that was a possibility when he made those deals. I don't disagree with KW makings those trades for one minute. I didn't work out, but if he would have done nothing and then we lost, we'd be screaming for his head on a platter. Malone can probably be placed in the never-will-be catagory, and that's too bad. But, it is not necessarily the end for him. A little bit of good luck and a lot of hard work on his part, and he may come all the way back. Good luck to him.

Danny DeVito in (I believe) Ruthless People:

Yippie Ki-ay, motherf***er

It's a dirty underhanded republican trick!

Back in the '60's, the higher education faculty was generally conservative and the student body was liberal. That student body and their "educational decendants" are now the faculty. So, of course, the conservative students feel like they have to struggle against what they perceive as a liberal bias. The fact that this article was published at this particular time was no coincidence.

Yes, I've seen it. Tall order, for sure.

Wright was inconsistent in 2002. He was also young and lacking big league experience. Inconsistency is often a problem with young pitchers. His injury may have proved to be a blessing in disguise as he had to learn to pitch effectively at less than 100%, which he did from the bullpen. If he is fully recovered and can transfer that over to a starting role, he may be very solid. I agree with you, Baggio, on Josh Stewart. He wasn't half bad considering he had never pitched above AA. I hope the kid is healthy so he gets a legitimate shot, and/or he gives the team some depth if he gets sent down.

At least he has proven he can win 14 games. Our #4 starter hasn't proven that yet.

Sorry. I disagree. Wright's problems last year were health related. He proved to be a decent #5 the year before, and he's that much older and smarter now. I think he has a good chance of winning the starter spot.

I think if the team gets off to a good start, the fans will come out regardless of how they feel about the owners.

I don't follow that thinking at all. If he's the best pitcher of the bunch, why shouldn't he make the team?

Danny Wright.

I don't think Ozzie is a Soxtalk poster. Just saying ...

I've been thinking about this situation. I don't see how the Yanks can prefer to go through the season with Jeter at SS over ARod. The acquisition of a 3B might be the catalyst for pushing Jeter over to 2B. Now, here comes the hard part. Who could the Yanks pick up to play 3B? Considering that they don't have much to offer as far as prospects, how could they hope to acquire a Glaus or Chavez or, heaven forbid, Crede. Three possibilities come to mind. Jose Valentin for one, but I don't see what they'd have to offer to even pry him away from the Sox. Then there is Jeff Cirillo. San Diego would probably let him go for a marginal prospect. The last person I had in mind, I'm not even sure he's an option. I don't really know his contract or health status as of right now. That would be Fernando Tatis. Does anyone know what the situation is with Tatis?

Last year, Minnesota had this same situation and they went 0-7 against the Yankmes, yet still won the division. With that said, I feel it is HUGE for the Sox to get off to a good start. That would instill some hope in the casual fan. Maybe some of them will actually attend a few games. Increased attendance would make it easier for KW to justify adding some mid-season pickups to help hold off the Twins and Royals.

What's negative about that?

In that case, it should be organized around your trip to Chicago. It couldn't be a real Soxtalk.com gathering without Fearless Leader.